Officials from the Office of the European Union Representative met Tuesday with members of the six Palestinian groups that Israel had designated as terrorist organizations.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
The move was announced last week by Defense Minister Benny Gantz following an investigation that, according to Israeli officials, proves that the groups, which are ostensibly designed to promote human rights or operate as civil society organizations, are in fact linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The PFLP is a terrorist group designated, among others, by Israel, the United States, and the EU.
Posting through its special "EU and Palestinians" Twitter handle after the meeting, the EU representative's office said it took the matter seriously and asked Israel for an explanation as to why it decided to outlaw the groups.
1/2 Today, the EU Representative, a number of MS+likeminded countries met with representatives of the six Palestinian CSOs listed by Israel's MoD. In response to questions, EU Rep. clarified that the EU takes this very seriously and is seeking clarifications with Israeli partners pic.twitter.com/KJYaAyq2xM
— EU and Palestinians (@EUpalestinians) October 25, 2021
It also tweeted that "past allegations of the misuse of EU funds by certain Palestinian CSO [civil society organizations] partners have not been substantiated."
The 27-member bloc further stressed it will continue "to stand by international law" and support the groups in "promoting human rights and democratic values."
The move garnered harsh criticism from right-wing watchdog groups Im Tirtzu and Lach Yerushalayim.
"The European Union should be ashamed," they said in a joint statement. "Apart from turning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict into a thriving business, in which propaganda and terrorist organizations profit and make a living from the conflict, it has never acted or did anything to calm the tensions.
"The European Union's subversion and colonial gall know no bounds. We very much hope that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett will not show weakness, but rather stand firm against this foreign and intolerable interference."
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
